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supportline

If you need personal help right this minute, free confidential support is available 24/7 from the 1in6 Online Helpline or RAINN‘s phone hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673).

Both services have trained staff who know (1) the effects of unwanted or abusive childhood sexual experiences and (2) available services. All chats and calls are confidential, and callers/hotline users are encouraged to remain anonymous.

If you have a few moments to read something, and think that could help you collect your thoughts and calm down…

We’re sorry that you’re having a really rough time right now.

At the same time, we want to say: Even at a time like this, there are good reasons for having hope – that you can get through it, and that life can get much better for you.

For one, many other men have been in situations like the one you’re in now, and later been able to look back and realize that it was an opportunity, the beginning of things getting better (We know, this may sound totally impossible right now, even annoying or disrespectful of your experience. But still…). Those men, for a variety of reasons, were able to take a crisis and turn it into a critical first step in dealing with things that had been causing them problems for a while.

There are other good reasons for hope, and we explain some in the Hope section of this site. Of course you may not have the time, or peace of mind, to absorb those reasons right now. But you can read and think about them later, when things have calmed down.

Reaching Out

Whatever your situation – at this moment and overall – we do suggest that, at some point, you get some input from another person who has enough knowledge and experience to help you sort through your priorities and options.

It might only be one call to a hotline or helpline, one online chat, one brief exchange on a web bulletin board, or one meeting with a therapist or counselor (with no obligation for a second).

You don’t have to say anything you don’t feel comfortable saying, or reveal anything you don’t feel comfortable revealing.

The idea is simple but powerful: Reach out to a real person, someone who may be able to help you sort through your own options and make some good decisions.

And if you try and the first person isn’t helpful, don’t give up. Try again, when you’re ready, after doing a little more research.

Finally, as always, we recommend that you pace yourself, take what works for you and leave the rest.

Find Information & Get Help

The mission of 1in6.org is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual
experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives. Our mission also includes serving
family members, friends, and partners by providing information and support resources on
the web and in the community.

1in6 would like to recognize the exceptional contributions of time and talent by Dr. Jim
Hopper in making this website possible.